I paid $1000.00 for my 26'. The engine hanging off the fan tail is worth that all by itself. The past owner and I have become great friends since the deal was made. He also added in at least another $1500.00 worth of goodies (auto tiller, spare sails, new batteries, lines, new life preservers etc. etc.)

From what I am told, the Islander 26' is a great little bay/coastal boat, and I don't have any dreams of world cruising. I did that in the Navy and there is no place that I want to go back to. My goal is to learn to sail and bring the grandson out for a little gunkholing and fishing.

As far as I am concerned, the boat is probably more than what I really need.

We will what happens after I gain the experience and skills needed for making any serious conclusions later on.

It's only when you have a boat that you realise what elements are important to you (I think anyway). So, as previously suggested, get a boat that you can afford now and mess about with it.
Mind you it hasn't helped me - on the one hand I want a boat to go fast(er) and on the other I want something like an SP Cruiser. Go figure.

It's only when you have a boat that you realise what elements are important to you (I think anyway). So, as previously suggested, get a boat that you can afford now and mess about with it.
Mind you it hasn't helped me - on the one hand I want a boat to go fast(er) and on the other I want something like an SP Cruiser. Go figure.

When I sit on the Centaur, I make mental calculations of how to change things. A bit faster (a lot) more room here, a better this and that..... before I know it Im on a 50 foot boat and half a million smackers down the line....but I like what Im using right now as well.

In the end, you have to choose within a price frame what is important to you.
In my case, a catamaran or failing that a motorsailer and separate cabins as in the one in the video above.....

__________________

__________________- Never test how deep the water is with both feet -
10% of conflicts are due to different opinions. 90% by the tone of voice.
Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.